In occultism, the concept of the angel of death, also known as the XIV angel card, holds significant meaning. This angel is believed to be the harbinger of death, responsible for guiding souls across the threshold between life and the afterlife. The belief in an angel of death is prevalent in many cultures and religions, although the symbolism and interpretation may vary. The XIV card in the tarot deck represents the angel of death. It is often depicted with a skeleton holding a scythe, symbolizing the end of life. This card is associated with transformation and rebirth, signifying the inevitability of change and the cycle of life and death.
So anyways, Lutz and Garner are investing Jenny and Thom's deaths, and they quickly stumble across the yoga studio, in part because warlock lawyer Will Spanner (Ryan Cleary) gets involved, on behalf of an actual white witch who has already been suspicious of Samuel. It is not clear this time around that Will is still a lawyer. It's even less clear that his awakening as a powerful warlock at the end of Blood of the Chosen has taken hold even a little bit. Also, kudos to everybody involved in making Angel of Death: this is the 12th film in the series with an adult Will, and while we haven't exactly been swinging from peak to peak, we are incontestably at the very worst Will yet: Cleary plays the character with a petulant squawk, and he's not even trying to win the battle to hold more attention than the veneer of eyeshadow he's been caked with, nor the spiked hair and V-neck shirts. The whole package exudes the horrible aura of some dreadful Angelino himbo whose glory years are a decade in the past, but who has decided that he will fight aging by clinging to a years-out-of-date conception of what is "hip" until you can practically see the sweat forming. And if that's what the movie wants us to think of Will, then okay, but I can't imagine it's what the movie wants. It's deeply unwatchable, anyways.
And then every single cast and crew member, individually, is given a title treatment using 3-D rendered text zooming in on itself so it flips around. So for right now, we re just looking at the first leg of the trilogy Witchcraft XIV Angel of Death , which is one of those back to basics stories that the franchise trotted out every now and then, and that makes sense for a place to start this profoundly ill-advised exercise in brand extension.
This card is associated with transformation and rebirth, signifying the inevitability of change and the cycle of life and death. Occultists interpret the angel of death as a spiritual entity that facilitates the transition from the physical world to the spiritual realm. It is believed that this angel acts as a guide, assisting souls in navigating the afterlife and finding peace.
ANGEL OF DEATH
The notion of an angel who extracts the soul from the body at death seems to have developed from earlier ideas about divinities of death. Such figures are widespread in world culture. In Hinduism, for example, Yama is the god of the dead. In the earliest Vedic texts, Yama ruled an afterlife realm not unlike the Norse Valhalla in which the deceased enjoyed carnal pleasures. As Hinduism was transformed in the post- Vedic period, Yama became a rather grim demigod who snared the souls of the departed and conducted them to the otherworld.
The angel of death concept was most fully developed in rabbinical Judaism. As did Yama, the Jewish angel of death (malakh ha-mavet) metamorphosed across time. At first these biblical emissaries of death were clearly under the direct command of God, as for example in Second Samuel:
Then the angel stretched out his arm towards Jerusalem to destroy it; but the Lord repented of the evil and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Stay your hand.” (2 Sam. 24:16)
Although no biblical reference identifies a particular angel or group of angels as having the specialized task of meting out death, many references do make allusions to “destroying angels” (Exod. 12:23, 2 Sam. 24:16, and Isa. 37:36); a fatal “reaper” (Jer. 9:20), and “messengers of death” (Prov. 16:14).
Only in postbiblical literature does the idea of the angel of death as such emerge. This “angel” gradually develops into a demonic figure acting on his own initiative. According to the Talmud, the angel of death was identified with Satan, and the notion of the angel of death as evil was reflected in many folktales and in many folk practices associated with death, burial, and mourning. For instance, one commonly known bit of folklore is that it is impossible to die in the midst of studying the Torah.
The many folktales associated with the angel of death fall into roughly three categories. In the first group, which may be called tales of horror and magic, the stubborn and cruel angel of death is a kind of antihero, somewhat like Dracula in many vampire stories. In the second category the angel of death can be defeated, especially by human deception. In these tales he is portrayed as being rather stupid. In the final group the angel of death is moved by compassion to spare someone’s life or otherwise act benevolently. In many of these narratives the confrontation with the angel of death occurs on a wedding night, during which one of the two betrothed is fated to die.
FURTHER READING:
- Encyclopaedia Judaica. Vol. 2. New York: Macmillan, 1971.
- Masello, Robert. Fallen Angels . . . and Spirits of the Dark. New York: Perigree, 1994.
- Sykes, Egerton. Who’s Who: Non-Classical Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
- Wigoder, Geoffrey. The Encyclopedia of Judaism. New York: Macmillan, 1989.
SOURCE:
Angels A to Z 2nd Edition – Written by Evelyn Dorothy Oliver & James R. Lewis – Copyright © 2008 by Visible Ink Press
The many folktales associated with the angel of death fall into roughly three categories. In the first group, which may be called tales of horror and magic, the stubborn and cruel angel of death is a kind of antihero, somewhat like Dracula in many vampire stories. In the second category the angel of death can be defeated, especially by human deception. In these tales he is portrayed as being rather stupid. In the final group the angel of death is moved by compassion to spare someone’s life or otherwise act benevolently. In many of these narratives the confrontation with the angel of death occurs on a wedding night, during which one of the two betrothed is fated to die.
Some occultists also see the angel of death as a protector, ensuring that souls are not lost or trapped in the realms between life and death. Despite its ominous reputation, the angel of death is not necessarily associated with evil or malevolence. In occultism, death is seen as a natural part of existence, and the angel of death embodies this understanding. It serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the need to embrace change and transformation. The presence of the angel of death in occult practices and beliefs encourages individuals to confront their mortality and develop a deeper understanding of the cycle of life and death. It teaches the importance of acceptance and letting go, as well as the necessity of inner growth and reflection. In summary, the XIV angel of death card in occultism represents the concept of the angel of death, an entity believed to guide souls in their transition from life to the afterlife. It symbolizes transformation, the cycle of life and death, and serves as a reminder of the impermanence of existence. By embracing the presence of death, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of life and its inherent changeability..
Reviews for "The XIV Angel of Death: Guardian or Harbinger? Perspectives in Occultism"
- Sarah - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "Occultism xiv angel of death" but I was highly disappointed. The storyline was confusing and the characters felt underdeveloped. The pacing was off, with slow and boring sections followed by rushed and chaotic ones. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but it was poorly executed.
- John - 1 star
I couldn't even finish "Occultism xiv angel of death". The writing was just terrible, filled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. The dialogue was unrealistic and cringe-worthy. The plot was predictable and lacked any sort of originality. I regret wasting my time on this book.
- Emily - 2 stars
"Occultism xiv angel of death" had an interesting premise, but it fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The author tried to incorporate too many supernatural elements without proper explanation, making it hard to follow. The writing style was also quite dry and uninspiring. Overall, I just couldn't connect with this book and found it underwhelming.
- Matt - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Occultism xiv angel of death" but it didn't live up to my expectations. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with many loose ends left unresolved. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of nothing happening. The writing itself was also mediocre, lacking descriptive language and failing to create a vivid atmosphere. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.